Today, President Bush Signed The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act Of 2006. The President and Mrs. Bush appreciate Congress responding to the President's call to reauthorize the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. This bill focuses on life-saving and life-extending services and increased accountability for funding. It will also provide more flexibility to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to direct funding to the areas of greatest need.

The President Is Committed To Addressing The Needs Of The 1 Million Americans Living With HIV/AIDS And To Preventing New HIV Infections Within The United States. Since 2001, the Administration has devoted more than $74 billion to HIV/AIDS treatment and care, increasing annual treatment funding by 37 percent.The Administration has also devoted more than $15 billion to HIV/AIDS research to help develop new methods of treatment and prevention, increasing annual research funding by 20 percent.

The Ryan White CARE Act Is An Important Tool In Turning The Tide Against HIV/AIDS In America. For 16 years, the Ryan White CARE Act has provided medical care, antiretroviral treatments, and counseling to people living with HIV who would otherwise have little or no access to care. It also supports HIV testing to prevent this disease from spreading further.

Revising And Extending HIV/AIDS-Related Services

Provide More Flexibility To Direct Funding To Areas Of Greatest Need. New supplemental grants will be provided to States with an increasing need for HIV/AIDS-related services due to limited access to health care, high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, and other relevant factors. The program's formula for awarding funds will also be updated to consider the number of HIV and AIDS cases – the previous formula considered only the number of AIDS cases.

Target Money To Core Life-Saving Medical Services For Those In Need. Grantees under Titles I, II, and III of the program will use no less than 75 percent of funds to provide core medical services. In addition, the reauthorization calls for the Early Intervention Services grant program to provide core medical services for individuals with HIV/AIDS in underserved populations.

Require More Aggressive Oversight Of RWCA Programs. For example, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will be required to submit biennial reports describing barriers to HIV program integration. In addition, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will be required to conduct an evaluation concerning how funds are used to provide family-centered care involving outpatient or ambulatory care services under Title IV of the RWCA Program.

Standardize Minimum Requirements For The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). The Secretary of Health and Human Services will develop and maintain a list of core ADAP medications needed to manage symptoms associated with HIV infection. States will be required to ensure that their programs, at a minimum, provide these core medications.

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Addressing HIV/AIDS In Women, Children, And Minorities

Expand Resources For Women, Infants, And Children. The reauthorization provides for grants to States for the universal testing of newborns for HIV/AIDS. It also supports the provision of family-centered care for women and children with HIV/AIDS, including the provision of support services such as referrals for inpatient hospital services, treatment for substance abuse, mental health services, and other social services.

Codify The Minority AIDS Initiative. HIV/AIDS has had a devastating impact on minorities in the United States – African-Americans accounted for 49 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in 2005. The Minority AIDS Initiative provides funding for activities to evaluate and address the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS and disparities in access, treatment, care, and outcome on racial and ethnic minorities.

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